HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 1995.09.20 - 38991OAKLAND COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
September 20, 1995
The meeting was called to order at 9:10 a.m. by Chairman Pecky D. Lewis, Jr. in the commission room of
the Parks and Recreation Commission's administration office.
COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT:
Chairman Pecky D. Lewis, Jr., Vice Chairman Ruth Johnson, Secretary Richard D. Kuhn, Jr., George W.
Kuhn, Thomas Law, Nancy McConnell, John Olsen, L. Brooks Patterson, Kay Schmid, Richard Skarritt
ALSO PRESENT:
Parks and Recreation
Central Services
O. C. Corporation Counsel
Fair Oaks
Oakland Co. Sportfishing Assoc.
Orion Township
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Ralph Richard, Manager
Jon J. Kipke, Assistant Manager
Frank Trionfi, Chief, Admin. Services
Sheila Cox, Accountant IV
Jan Pung, Chief of Communication
Joe Figa, Chief of Design/Development
Mike Thibodeau, Chief of Golf
Dan Stencil, Chief of Parks
Sue Delridge, Chief of Recreation
Jim Mansfield, Recreation Supervisor
Dave VanderVeen, Director
Gerald Poisson, Corporation Counsel
Gordon Wyllie, Assistant Counsel
L. C. Scramlin, President
Sue Stapleton
Carl Christie
Bruce Tufford
Mark Vagi, Parks and Recreation Director
Doug Brown, Township Supervisor
Moved by Mrs. McConnell, supported by Mr. Olsen to approve the minutes of the meeting
of August 16, 1995, as written.
AYES: R. Kuhn, Lewis, McConnell, Olsen, Schmid, Skarritt (6)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
There were no questions asked, nor comments made, by the public.
STAFF COMMENTS:
Manager Richard reported on the success of the 3rd Annual Lewis E. Wint Memorial Golf Outing, noting
that the Oakland Parks Foundation has fulfilled their commitment of $50,000 for the expansion of the
Independence Oaks Nature Center within three years, rather than the five years originally projected.
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(Commission Meeting, September 20, 1995)
APPROVAL OF PAYMENTS:
Moved by Mr. Skarritt, supported by Mrs. McConnell to approve the payment of Vouchers
7-1 through 7-520; and the Interdepartmental Payment Register for the June charges paid
in July, and the July charges paid in August.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Johnson, R. Kuhn, Lewis, McConnell, Olsen, Schmid, Skarritt (7)
NAYS: (0)
A sufficient majority having voted, the motion carried.
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS:
The Statement of Operations as of July 31, 1995, was accepted as filed.
ACTIVITIES REPORT:
The Activities Reports for July and August, 1995, were accepted as filed.
1994 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS BUDGET AMENDMENT:
Moved by Mr. Olsen, supported by Mr. R. Kuhn to adjust the 1994 Capital Improvement
Projects Budget Contingency Fund by $169,063 to reflect the additional monies available
as a result of the 1994 Operating Budget's actual revenue and expense figures.
AYES: Johnson, R. Kuhn, Lewis, McConnell, Olsen, Schmid, Skarritt (7)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
PRESENTATIONS:
Mr. Carl Christie and Mr. Bruce Tufford from the Oakland County Sportfishing Association presented the
Commission with a $3,000 donation earmarked for the Orion Oaks handicap -accessible dock system, along
with a pledge to also participate in the construction of that project. Chief of Parks Dan Stencil presented
them with a plaque in recognition of the Association's generous contribution to the dock system at Orion
Oaks.
Manager Richard presented a plaque from the Michigan Recreation and Park Association in recognition
of the Commission once again hosting the Association's annual Scholarship Golf Outing.
FAIR OAKS AGREEMENT - SPRINGFIELD OAKS ACTIVITIES CENTER:
Staff presented the proposed agreement between the Parks Commission and Fair Oaks, which will allow
Fair Oaks to manage the programming for the Springfield Oaks Activities Center.
Discussion followed, which included Commissioners' concerns on the length of the agreement for review
and renewal, free use of the building by the Parks Commission, amount of professional assistance provided
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(Commission Meeting, September 20, 1995)
by Parks staff, the Parks Commission approving rental fees, amount of insurance, who will determine the
amount of adequate staff plus determining capital and maintenance repairs.
Moved by Mrs. Johnson, supported by Mr. Olsen to approve the management/operation
agreement between the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission and Fair Oaks
to manage the programming of the Springfield Oaks Activities Center with the following
changes:
1) Length of the agreement will be one year to be reviewed and renewed annually for up
to three years.
2) Include a paragraph specifying free use of the facility by the Parks Commission.
3) Agreement to state that the fees and charges will be established by the Parks
Commission.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: R. Kuhn, Law, Lewis, McConnell, Olsen, Patterson, Schmid, Skarritt, Johnson (9)
NAYS: (0)
A sufficient majority having voted, the motion carried.
Commission directed staff to establish guidelines for responsibilities of the two parties, including staff,
capital projects, and maintenance repairs.
WATERFORD OAKS ACQUISITION:
Staff requested Commission approval of a resolution to execute the grant agreement for the acquisition of
approximately 18 acres adjacent to Waterford Oaks. This will be a 75/25 Michigan Natural Resources Trust
Fund grant, with $170,500 from the Trust Fund and $57,500 from Parks and Recreation.
Moved by Mr. Olsen, supported by Mrs. McConnell to approve the following resolution to
execute the grant agreement for the acquisition of approximately 18 acres adjacent to
Waterford Oaks:
WHEREAS, Part 19, Natural Resources Trust Fund, of the Natural Resource and
Environmental Protection Act, Act 451 of the Public Acts of 1994, establishes the Michigan
Natural Resources Trust Fund which provides for acquisition and development of lands for
public recreational purposes.
AND WHEREAS, the Parks and Recreation Commission of the County of Oakland
desires to acquire lands for public recreation purposes.
AND WHEREAS, the aforementioned unit of government agrees to be solely
responsible for the operation and maintenance of the property as set forth in said
Agreement.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Parks and Recreation Commission of
the County of Oakland is authorized to enter into the Project Agreement with the Michigan
Department of Natural Resources and agrees to perform the terms and conditions of said
Agreement.
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(Commission Meeting, September 20, 1995)
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Law, Lewis, McConnell, Olsen, Patterson, Schmid, Skarritt, Johnson, R. Kuhn (9)
NAYS: (0)
A sufficient majority having voted, the motion carried.
WATERFORD OAKS WATERPARK RENOVATION:
Moved by Mr. R. Kuhn, supported by Mr. Law to award the bid for the children's water
feature to be constructed at the Waterford Oaks Wave Pool to SCS Company in the
amount of $135,845 for the base bid, plus $6,000 for Alternate A and $5,000 for Alternate
B, for a contract total of $146,845.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Lewis, McConnell, Olsen, Patterson, Schmid, Skarritt, Johnson, R. Kuhn, Law (9)
NAYS: (0)
A sufficient majority having voted, the motion carried.
FALL PARK -GRADE TREE ORDER:
Moved by Mr. Law, supported by Mr. G. Kuhn to award the bid for the purchase of 422
various park -grade trees and shrubs for various locations throughout the park system to
Vidosh Landscape Centre, Inc. in the amount of $22,178.50.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: McConnell, Olsen, Patterson, Schmid, Skarritt, Johnson, G. Kuhn, R. Kuhn, Law, Lewis (10)
NAYS: (0)
A sufficient majority having voted, the motion carried.
Commissioners suggested staff consider some type of lease program for a nursery to lease parkland in
exchange for nursery stock.
TUB GRINDER CONTRACT - WATERFORD OAKS:
Moved by Mr. Skarritt, supported by Mrs. Johnson to award the contract to provide and
operate a tub grinder to process approximately 3,000 cubic yards of wood/soil debris at
Waterford Oaks to the low bidder, CRT, in the amount of $7,000.00.
AYES: Johnson, G. Kuhn, R. Kuhn, Law, Lewis, McConnell, Olsen, Patterson, Schmid, Skarritt (10)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
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(Commission Meeting, September 20, 1995)
SAFETY PATH - ORION OAKS:
Orion Township Supervisor Doug Brown and Parks and Recreation Director Mark Vagi gave a brief history
of the township's safety path program and encouraged the Parks Commission to install a path along the
Joslyn Road border of Orion Oaks. Completion of this portion of the safety path would link two major loops
of the township's safety path system together.
This path would be required once park development begins.
Mr. Vagi noted an option in the safety path ordinance that allows developers to make a contribution to the
safety path fund in lieu of constructing the path. The safety path committee can then use those funds in
locations at their discretion.
Commission questioned maintenance responsibilities, liability, and the possibility of sharing this cost with
the owners of the property on the other side of Joslyn.
Commission concurred that a policy for participating in these safety path programs throughout the parks
system should be instituted.
Commission suggested the possibility of having the township install the path using safety path millage funds
and making the Parks Commission responsible to reimburse those funds once we begin development of
the park.
Corporation Counsel Poisson expressed a concern that Lake Sixteen will become an attractive nuisance
to the walking schoolchildren once the new elementary school is constructed at the corner of Joslyn and
Clarkston Roads.
Moved by Mr. Law, supported by Mr. Olsen to authorize staff to review with Risk
Management the issue of Orion Oaks' fishing docks becoming an attractive nuisance once
the elementary school on the corner of Joslyn and Clarkston Roads is constructed, and to
report back to the Commission.
AYES: Johnson, G. Kuhn, R. Kuhn, Law, Lewis, McConnell, Olsen, Skarritt (8)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
Commission directed staff to invite County Commissioner Larry Obrecht to the commission meeting the next
time this subject is on the agenda.
WAVE POOL CONCESSION FEASIBILITY STUDY:
In response to Commission request, Chief of Administrative Services Frank Trionfi prepared a financial
breakdown of the cost of operating our own concessions at the waterparks, similar to the operation at
Hyland hills Waterworld Park in Colorado.
The study revealed that our current contract with our concessionaire is the most cost effective means of
operation. However, with the proposed expansion at Waterford Oaks, staff will again analyze the figures
in a few years to consider whether or not it would be more feasible to do the food operation ourselves or
negotiate a better contract with the concessionaire. Staff will report back to the Commission at that time
with updated information.
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(Commission Meeting, September 20, 1995)
CLASSIFICATION STUDY:
Commission reviewed a classification/salary study performed by the Oakland County Personnel Department
for the manager's position.
Commission discussed available options, including requesting a different classification, different title, an
exception to the salary administration plan, or excluding this position from the county's merit system.
Corporation Counsel Poisson advised the Commission that, without approval from the voters, the manager's
position cannot be excluded from the county's merit system.
Moved by Mr. Law, supported by Mrs. McConnell to recommend retitling the position of
Manager to Executive Officer - Parks and Recreation and to refer this request to the
Oakland County Personnel Department for their review and recommendation for
appropriate salary.
AYES: Johnson, G. Kuhn, R. Kuhn, Law, Lewis, McConnell, Olsen, Schmid, Skarritt (9)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
MANAGER'S REPORT:
The Manager's Report is as filed in the agenda.
The next Commission meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Wednesday, October 18, 1995.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:56 a.m.
Richard D. Kuhn, Jr.
Secretary
Karen Smith
Recording Secretary
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